Glenn Lowry, the influential former director of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, expressed deep concern that non-profit U.S. museums could lose their tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status under the Trump administration. Speaking on the podcast "The Art World: What If…?!" hosted by Charlotte Burns, Lowry warned that the federal government is prepared to exert significant power to achieve its ambitions, potentially revoking the tax exemption that he calls the "magic wand" behind America's robust cultural programming. His comments follow a House bill passed in November that would allow the Treasury Secretary broad powers to revoke non-profit status, though the bill has stalled in the Senate.
This matters because the 501(c)(3) status is the financial bedrock of nearly every U.S. museum, providing federal tax exemption in exchange for charitable and educational missions. Lowry's warning comes at a time of heightened political tension, as museums navigate pressure to remain politically engaged while protecting their funding. The interview also touches on MoMA's declining visitor numbers and the challenges of leading institutions through turbulent political and social landscapes, making Lowry's perspective a bellwether for the entire non-profit museum sector.